Judge Exec. hoping to see funds added to state budget that would help with financially burdensome county jail operation

“When people pay their local taxes, they expect to see some local benefit.” That is how Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White, Jr. summarized what he believes to be the general consensus among local taxpayers. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing financial burden of operating the Whitley County Detention Center is making it very difficult for the fiscal court to fund very many other projects. (more…)

Redhounds survive late-game rally to secure 50th District title

It was the very definition of a “nail biter” game, but in the end, the Corbin Redhounds managed to hang on Friday night at Whitley County High School to defeat the South Laurel Cardinals in the finals of this year’s 50^th District Tournament, 61-59. (more…)

A lot has changed since I took my driving test in an old Nash Metropolitan

Our grandson in Lexington passed his driver’s test and got his drivers license last week. That was a cause for celebration because it will relieve his mother from having to take him to the many school activities.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

The first time he took the driver’s test he failed because the front of the car touched a barrel when he had to parallel park the car. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I had to parallel park my SUV I may not pass the test either. It has been years since I have parallel parked my vehicle. In a way I don’t know why that is still a part of the driver’s test.

When I took my driving test 68 years ago it was very simple. I borrowed my brother-in-law Eddie’s car and drove it to Williamsburg. Just to be sure that I wouldn’t have any trouble passing the test I wanted to use his car. It was a Nash Metropolitan. Most of you reading this are probably not familiar with that model of vehicle.

Let me explain. The little Nash Metropolitan was a two-seat vehicle about the size of a golf cart. It was a cute little thing. Look it up on your computer and you’ll see what I mean. It was so small I could park it on a dime.

I showed up at the courthouse on a rainy day and when the state policeman came out to go on the drive with me, he paused and said, “this is what you are driving,” almost in disbelief that he was giving a test in such a tiny car.

He got in and we started driving through the streets in Williamsburg. As I said, it was raining. During our trip the driver’s side windshield wiper fell off. I reached around and retrieved the wiper and said to the cop, “That’s the first time this has ever happened.” Then I noticed hammer marks from where my brother-in-law Eddie had tried to get the wiper blade to stay on. At that moment I thought my goose was cooked. To my disbelief I got my license. I drove back to Corbin on U.S. 25 without a windshield wiper although it was still raining. I was 16 years of age and so elated a lack of visibility didn’t bother me.

I learned to drive when I was 13 years of age. I hung out at Tom Disney’s garage on Ninth Street with the Disney brothers who owned a Model A Ford. It was straight shift and had a rumble seat. During that same year, 1952, my dad bought a Hudson Hornet. Since my father was a highway contractor he was gone through the week on a job and would come home on weekends. This provided a great opportunity for me.

I was told that if you took a piece of metal and connected it between the two screws behind the ignition key then you could start the car by pushing the starter button. I tried it and it worked. So now it was my opportunity to sneak and drive the Hudson when nobody was around.

One day I was driving it out 11th Street where a new dirt road had just been graded. In one hand I had a bottle of Pepsi Cola and while driving it started to slip and I grabbed it with both hands. The next thing I knew I was in a ditch with one side of the car leaning against a dirt wall.

I was saved by the Gentry boys who owned a tractor. They pulled me out of the ditch and on the side of the car were scratches. I knew I should get ready to meet my maker when my dad came in on Friday afternoon. I said nothing. He saw nothing. Thank heaven he never noticed those scratches.

Corbin City Commission discusses feral cat problem

Corbin leaders are trying to figure out what to do about a feral cat problem.

Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus informed the Corbin City Commission during its monthly meeting Monday that she recently got a phone call from a 90-year-old woman about Corbin’s feral cat problem.

She noted that the cats got under the woman’s home and did about $500 worth of damage.

“It is really getting out of control,” Razmus noted.

City Attorney Bob Hammons suggested contacting Whitley County Animal Control Officer T.J. Centers.

Aside from that, no one present offered any suggestions.

Also, during Monday’s meeting, the commission received updates on a pair of $10,000 grant applications, one of which was successful.

The city was seeking funding allocated by the Kentucky General Assembly last year in House Bill 9.

The bill is designed to help small coal impacted communities with matching funds when they apply for federal grants. There are about 20 eastern Kentucky counties and 20 western Kentucky counties eligible for funding through the bill.

Corbin Parks and Recreation Director Jacob Roan announced that the city was successful in getting a $10,000 grant to develop a strategic plan for the Corbin Parks and Recreation Department.

Roan noted that in April, there will be a town hall meeting to get community input on the master plan.

Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen informed the commission that the city’s grant application to do a feasibility study on the proposed Colonel Sanders Story: A Finger Lickin’ Good musical was not successful.

She said that there is still hope that the city can get grant funding for the feasibility study.

Monhollen said that she has a lead on a $10,000 National Endowment of the Arts Grant, which could be used to help pay for the feasibility study.

“We are still chasing every monetary avenue that exists,” she added.

Justeen Wilson honored

Photo by ANGIE BAKER

Family and friends gathered recently to celebrate Justeen Wilson’s 85th birthday.

Among those in attendance was Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr., who presented Wilson with a proclamation proclaiming Feb. 24, 2024 as Justeen Wilson Day throughout Whitley County, Kentucky.

Justeen and her late husband, Bob, were owners and operators of the very popular Justeen’s Restaurant from 1976 to 1995.

For the past several years Justeen has been a very valued member and officer of the Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society where you can find her most Wednesdays and Saturdays helping to preserve and research Whitley County’s history.

Baptist Health Corbin Volunteers hosting Tree of Life Ceremony Monday (March 4)

Baptist Health Corbin Volunteers are hosting a Tree of Life Ceremony on Monday (March 4) at 1 p.m. This event will be held in the Paul Parker Pavilion, which is near the outpatient entrance.

The Volunteers host this ceremony each year to honor employees, retired employees, volunteers and physicians that have passed away. Leaves with engraved names will be added to the Tree of Life.

Names being added to the Tree of Life Monday, include: Judy Chandler, Teresa Cowden, Kathy Hill, Emma McPherson, Brenda Meadors, John Morgan, Geeta Ishwar Patel, Raymond Roginski, Leland Sawyers, Mike Smith, Crystal Ward Woolum and Karlyle Keith Young.

Baptist Health Corbin is a 273-bed, acute care facility providing a wide variety of healthcare services to residents of Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Bell, Clay, McCreary counties in Kentucky and Harlan and Campbell counties in Tennessee.

Lady Hounds defeat South Laurel for 50th District title

After trading losses against each other in the regular season, the Corbin Lady Hounds topped the South Laurel Lady Cardinals Thursday evening, 74-68, to secure this year’s 50^th District championship title. (more…)

Whitley County Grand Jury hands down eight drug-related indictments

The Whitley County Grand Jury indicted eight people on drug-related charges last Thursday.

Corbin to host Little League tournament, Corbin PD wins annual chili cookoff event

Corbin will be hosting the Little League state tournament this summer.

John Baker, Cathy Prewitt and Thor Bahrman helped serve during the Second Annaul Corbin Police and Fire Chili Cookoff, which took place on Feb. 22 at The Depot on Main. For the second consecutive year, the police department won the chili cookoff and bragging rights until next year’s rematch.

Corbin officials announced during Monday’s monthly Corbin City Commission meeting that Corbin will host the state tournament on July 20-24.

Corbin will host the tournament for ages 9-10, ages 10-11 and ages 11-12.

Also, during Monday’s meeting, Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen congratulated the Corbin Police Department for winning the Second Annual Corbin Police and Fire Chili Cookoff, which took place on Feb. 22 at The Depot on Main.

She noted that the fire department will have a chance to redeem itself during next year’s cookoff.

The event raised $1,200, which will go towards replacing the lower floor windows on the old Carnegie Library building.

“It is all about community. It is all about coming together,” she said.

In addition, Monhollen discussed the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Signature Spirit Shuffle that will take place at various restaurants on Main Street on March 16 starting at 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by Buffalo Trace Distillery.

“We are gearing up and excited about the St. Patrick’s Day celebration,” Monhollen said. “Each downtown Corbin restaurant serves their own signature cocktail made with Buffalo Trace bourbon. People get to go and we encourage them to try just two signature spirits in order to be entered to win the grand prize.”

Monhollen also took a few minutes during the meeting to discuss the Appalachian Triangle of Kentucky marketing initiative, which will launch a new video on March 1.

This is a $380,000 regional tourism marketing initiative being paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Groups participating in the marketing initiative are Mount Vernon/Rockcastle County, London/Laurel County, Corbin/Whitley County, Bell, Harlan, Barbourville and Manchester.

It markets this area as a centralized tourism destination that shares culture, food, music, history and the great outdoors.

“I am very excited to launch this initiative,” Monhollen said.

Experienced group of baseball Hounds ready to take the field for spring season

As we enter into the month of March, the official start to the 2024 high school baseball season is now just days away. Among the area teams chomping at the bit to get back out onto the diamond are the Corbin Redhounds, who will once again be considered a top contender in the 13th Region. (more…)